Player: Julius Brents
School: Kansas State
Measurables:
- Height: 6’3” (NFL Combine)
- Weight: 198 (NFL Combine)
- 40: 4.53 (NFL Combine)
- 10 Yard Split: 1.57 (NFL Combine)
- Bench: DNP
- Vertical Jump: 41.5” (NFL Combine)
- Broad Jump: 11’6” (NFL Combine)
- 3 Cone: 6.63 (NFL Combine)
- 20 Yard Shuttle: 4.05 (NFL Combine)
- Other Notes: Athletically one of the best testers of the CB class and the entire combine.
Graded Position Specific Traits:
- Man Coverage: 7.25/10
- Zone Coverage: 6.25/10
- Field Vision: 6.5/10
- Tackling: 7/10
- Run Support: 7.5/10
- Range: 6.25/10
Prospect Grade: 40.75/60; 67.9%- High end starter with pro bowl potential(minimum)
Projected Draft Day: Mid- Late Round 1
Player Comparison: Antonio Cromartie without all the kids
Player Summary:
Brents is a cornerback prospect that has been generating first round buzz within the last week or so heading into draft week. With this new buzz going around I had to take a look for myself, and I definitely wasn’t disappointed. Georgia’s Kelee Ringo and Maryland’s Deonte Banks are two cornerbacks that I think have high ceilings, but lower floors than some people think. I think Brents has a similar ceiling to Ringo and Banks, but I also think Brents is ready to supply a team with really good cornerback play on day one unlike the other two. Brents isn’t perfect, he definitely could use some coaching and clean up on some of his technique and game as a whole, but he’s not as raw.
Brents has elite level size, length, and athleticism, although lacks elite speed. His length is really beneficial against receivers trying to block him. When he strikes and extends he is able to keep most receivers off his body and shed them. In coverage his length is able to help him make plays on the ball, especially when he is slightly trailing due to his lack of elite speed. He also has pretty good footwork and really fluid hips.
Brents is one of the most active cornerbacks I’ve seen in run support. He’s aggressive at the point of attack against blockers and tackles really well, but also knows how to bring the boom. He does not fear contact, he is not like other cornerbacks. When he is playing to the nub side of a formation he will play up at the line like an OLB. He knows how to contain and set the edge. He takes on pullers like a linebacker. He sets his base, lowers his shoulder, and holds his ground with his outside arm free.
I thought Brents was a bit better in man than zone coverage. In man on route breaks, particularly deeper routes, WRs can create separation and Brents can begin to trail a bit. In zone, he needs work on his drops. His shuffle step footwork in zone isn’t bad, but it has more to do with the leverage he has. When you watch Brents’ film you will notice that on zone drops, if he’s playing inside leverage he won’t widen in his shuffle step. In head up or outside alignment, sometimes he will drift inside. The point is that occasionally the WR will release outside and when Brents is in his shuffle step he will have his back to the WR and will lose track of where the WR is.
Overall, I definitely expect Brents to be drafted in the first round of this year’s draft. He needs work, but should still be a solid day one starter. There are rumblings of Brents being converted to safety once he’s drafted. Although I think Brents could play safety, I don’t think he has to convert. I think he could be an NFL corner. As stated earlier, Brents has a high ceiling. His grade suggests being a pro bowler, but with the right coaching and development, I think we could even see him in the All-Pro conversation at some point in his career.